Automatic door spotting device



Dec. 20, 1955 E. H. sPRx-:cKELMExER AUTOMATIC DOOR SPOTTING DEVICE 2Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. 2. 1951 INVENTOR.

bw/N H. PREC/fa 1E/ER Dec. 20, 195 E. H. sPREcKr-:LMEIER 727,380

AUTOMATIC DOOR SPOTTING DEVICE Filed Aug. 2, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

e 2,727,380 ICC Patented Dec. 20, 1955 AUTMATIC DR SPTTING DEVICE EdwinH. Spreckelmeier, Cincinnati, Ghia, assigner to The American LaundryMachinery lornpany, Cincinnati, hio, a corporation of Ohio ApplicationAugust 2, 1951, Serial No. 2352989 10 Claims. (Cl. 6th-14m) has a fixedouter shell or curb, and in which a door in the rotatable drum must bebrought into substantially accurate registry with a door in the shellfor work loading and unloading purposes.

in washing machines previously known in the art, inching has sometimesbeen effected manually, and sometimes automatically. Manual methods arelaborious, and are ineflcient when superimposed on an otherwisecompletely automatic operation. Automatic inching methods, as developedin the prior art, were all based on an attempt to bring a rotating drumto a full stop in final registry position. In a commercial laundrymachine of substantial volumetric content, with a load of Wet material,an abrupt halt, responsive to a brake-controlling cam or otherwise,cannot be very precisely located by reason of variations in drum speedand drum load, which latter factors determine the tendency of the drumto overrun unless the brake is extremely efficient, and controlled withminute accuracy. In case of an instantaneous stop (which is practicallyimpossible to achieve) or even a sudden stop, there is a considerablestrain on all working parts by reason of the inertia shock in stopping aloaded drum. One previous system involved bringing a cylinder to acomplete stop at some approximate position past the point of registry,and then running the cylinder backwards against the resistance of anapplied brake until registry is reached, whereupon the power is cut off.It is not'considered good practice to run with the brake on, andsatisfactory accuracy is difficult to attain in this manner.

One object of the present invention is to provide means for securingaccurate registry of relatively movable parts while minimizing inertiashock.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedmethod of inching a rotatable drum to a point of registry, with apredetermined time delay between inching steps.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for automaticallystopping the movable element substantially short of accurate registry,and then inching said movable element automatically towards accurateregistry in a succession of relatively short steps, thereby minimizingthe momentum developed during each step.

A further object of the invention is to provide means as dened in thelast preceding paragraph and wherein a controlled time delay of shortbut definite duration is automatically interposed between each suchstep.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for inching aperiodically reversible drum to registry, in combination with means forassuring that the inching process always takes place during rotation ofthe drum in one specific direction.

A further object of the invention is to provide means yin combinationwith a multi-compartment drum for automatically inching each compartmentdoor in succession to registry with the door of the shell.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from a study of thefollowing specification, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,in which:

Fig. l is a schematic showing, partially diagrammatic, of arotatable-drum washer and accompanying mechanical and electricalelements and circuits for an effective automatic inching control.

Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are simplified drawings, reduced in size, showingdifferent relative positions of a rotatable drum and its fixed housing.

Fig. 7 is a developed view, in flat form, of the complete peripheralsurface of a cylinder cam.

Fig. 8 is a schematic View, similar to Fig. l, but showing anotherembodiment of the invention suitable for the inching control of atwo-compartment two-door drum.

Figs. 9, l0, ll and 12 are simplified drawings, reduced in size, showingdiiferent relative positions of a two-compartment drum and its fixedhousing.

Fig. 13 is a developed view, in flat form, of the complete peripheralsurface of a cylinder cam such as is shown in Fig. 8.

Speaking rst generally, the drawings show two embodiments of theinvention. In the iirst embodiment, as illustrated by Figs. l to 7inclusive, there is shown a rotatable foraminous cylinder or drum 1 witha single door 2 within a stationary outer shell or tub 3, which tub hasa door d. in this instance the problem, of course, is to stop the drumat the close of the operating cycle so that the doors 2 and 4 are insatisfactory alignment for work insertion or removal.

Still speaking generally, Figs. 8 to 2.3 inclusive show a rotatableforaminous drum lili, having a partition 3mi) therein which divides thedrum into two work holding chambers ltia and ltllb having respectivedoors 102C: and 10211, the drum being rotatable in a shell or tub 163having a door lil-l. The controls shown in Figs. 8 to 13 inclusive areadapted to produce automatic inching leading to registry of door 164with either one of the doors time: or w25.

Identification of control elements Referring now somewhat morespeciiically to Figs. l to 8 inclusive there are a number of operatableelements effective upon various electrical circuits which areidentifiable by capital letters of the alphabet, and which are herelisted in alphabetical sequence for possible reference as thedescription proceeds.

A is a two-armature switch, one of the armatures, namely A-l having twoalternate positions and the other armature A-2 having a single closedposition.

B is a manual switch for breaking a holding circuit as a preliminary tostopping the driving motor M.

C is a push button switch having a pair of double pole armatures closedsimultaneously, effective in starting and only momentarily operated.

D is a single contact switch, biased to open position, but closed duringdrum operation by a cam on the outer shell door. lt remains closedthrough the working cycle.

F is a single contact switch operated by a cam 38 on a timed rotatablecam shaft, this switch being closed for forward rotation of thework-holding drum. (See R.)

N is a brake-release solenoid effective, when energized, to release thebrake, which brake is normally springbiased to brake-applied position.

P is a single contact switch operating simultaneously with a three-phaseswitch in the motor starting circuit.

R is a single contact switch operated by a cam 39 on a timed rotatablecam shaft, this switch being closed for reverse rotation of thework-holding drum. (See F.)

T is a slow speed timer motor for rotating the cam shaft to operateswitches F and R in sequence.

W is a single contact switch in the time delay circuit.

X is a single contact switch biased to closed position, but movable toopen position by a cam on a cam cylinder 23 at the close of theoperating cycle. The cam cylinder 23 rotates in synchronism with thedriven shaft.

Y and Z are double contact switches, movable from either one of theircontacts to the other by respective cams 33 and 32 on the cam drum 23.They are effective in setting up operating circuits during the incitingsteps.

CR is a master relay coil having five operating linked switch armaturesidentifiable as:

CR-i effective in a first holding circuit.

CR-2 effective in a circuit to timer motor T.

CR-3 effective on solenoid N to release the brake.

CR-I-i effective in inching operations.

CR-S effective in inching operations.

DP is a dash pot for imposing a time delay on the opening of switch W.

FC is a contactor coil effective, when energized, to close a three-phaseswitch for initiating forward rotation of the drum. It also operatesswitch P which becomes effective under certain circuit conditions, aswill appear.

RC is a contactor coil effective, when energized, to produce closing ofa three-phase switch for initiating reverse rotation of the drum.

TD is a solenoid effective, when energized, to close switch W againstthe restraint of the time delay dash pot DP.

In the description of the second embodiment (Figs. 8 to 13 inclusive)reference numerals will be increased by adding 143/51, and in mostinstances an element identified, for example, by reference numeral 123in the second embodiment will correspond in function to the elementidentified by reference numeral 23 in the first embodiment. Likewise theelements identified in the first embodiment by a capital letter, such asdash pot DP, will be identified in the second embodiment by a capitalletter with a prime designation, such as DP.

Starting and completing the washing operation In the followingdescription it may be borne in mind that the purpose of the novel meansherein disclosed is to complete an operation, bring the rotatable drumto a complete stop at a substantial arcuate distance short of registry,interpose a momentary time delay, and then approach registry by a seriesof inching steps, with full stops and momentary time delaystherebetween, until registry is achieved.

Referring now to Figs. l to 7 inclusive, and for the time being morespecifically to Fig. l, the rotatable drum 1 and the shell 3 havepreviously been identified, as have their respective doors 2 and 4.Assuming that the drum has been loaded and the doors 2 and 4 have beenclosed, operation is started by placing switch A in the position shown,closing switch B and briefiy depressing push button switch C. The masterrelay coil CR is energized by a current proceeding as follows: from L-,conductor 5, door switch D (now closed by cam on closed door 4),conductor 6, armature A-l of switch A, conductors 7 and 8, armature ofswitch B, conductors 9a and 9, armature C-1 of switch C, conductors 10and 10-a, coil CR, and conductors 11 and 11-c to L-2. Energization ofcoil CR closes the switches controlled by armatures CR-l, CR-Z and CR-3,and opens the switches controlled by armatures CR- and CR-S. Thiscircuit is effective while C is operated.

A primary holding circuit independent of push button C is nowestablished through switch arm CR-l as follows: from L-1 throughconductor 5, switch D, conductor 6, armature A-1, conductors 7 and 8,armature of switch B, conductors 9-a and 9-b, armature C12-1, conductor12 to CR, and conductors 11 and 11a` to L-2.

The timer motor T is energized through armature CR-2 as follows: fromL-1, conductor 5, switch D, conductor 6, armature A-1, conductors 7 and8, armature of switch B, conductors 9-a and 9-b, armature CR-l,conductors 12, 10a and 13, armature CR-2, conductors 14 and 15 to timermotor T, and conductors 11a, 11b, 11 and 11e to L-2. Switches F and Rare on a spur 14a from this circuit, so that they may energize furthercircuits whenever either one is closed by a respective cam 38 or 39 onthe cam shaft rotated by timer motor T.

When both switches F and R are open, the drive motor M does not start.However, when cam 38 rotates counterclockwise to close switch F, thethree-phase switch for forward movement of motor M is closed responsiveto energization of coil FC, as follows: from L-l through conductor 5,switch D, conductor 6, armature A-1, conductors 7 and 8, switch B,conductors 9-a and 9, switch armature CR-1, conductors 12, 10a and 13,armature CR-Z, conductors 14 and 14n, switch F, conductor 16, contactorswitch coil FC, conductors 17 and .i1-c to L-2. The three-phase circuitsthrough conductors 9i), 91 and 92 now initiate forward rotation of motorM and drum 1, which may be assumed to be counterclockwise in the figuresas indicated for example in Fig. 5. When the gap between the highsectors of cams 38 and 39 arrives the switches the coil FC isdeenergized by opening of switch F, and the drive motor M comes to astop in its forward rotation. When cam 39 closes its switch R, and thelast enumerated circuit is reestablished except that from conductor 14ait now proceeds through conductor 14h, switch R, conductor 18, contactorcoil RC, conductors 18h and 11C to I.-2. The three-phase switchcontrolled by RC closes, reversing the lines to motor M, which thereuponturns the drum in reverse direction until switch R drops off the highsegment of cam 39.

For both forward and reverse rotation it was necessary to energize thebrake release solenoid N, and this was accomplished, upon energizationof the master relay CR, through armature CR-3 as follows: from L-1through conductor 5, switch D, conductor 6, switch armature A-l,conductors 7, 7a, and 7b, armature CR-3, conductors 19 and 19a to brakerelease solenoid N, and thence through conductors 11d, 11b, 11 and 11Cto L-2.

Termination of washing operation In order to place the circuits incondition for termination of the washing operation the switch B must beopened. It is here described as a manual type but obviously it could beopened by any suitable timing means. Switch B was in the primary holdingcircuit previously described, but in the meantime a secondary holdingcircuit has been established through switch X on cam drum 23 as follows:from L-1 through conductor 5, switch D, conductor 6, armature A-l,conductors 7, 'la and 20 to switch X, conductors 21 and 9-b, armatureCR-l, conductor 12, coil CR, and conductors 11 and 11-c to L-2. This, ofcourse, is a secondary circuit independent of switch B in the primaryholding circuit, and this secondary circuit is broken at switch X by acam 22 on cam drum 23 which is rotated in direct relationship (bothforward and backward) to the washing drum 1.

Assume that the cam cylinder 23 and drum 1 are both rotatingcounterclockwise, the position of the cylinder in Fig. 5 indicates thatcam 22 is ready to open switch X. Upon a further increment ofcounterclockwise rotation switch X opens responsive to cam 22 and thefollowing results take place immediately: the primary holding circuitthrough switch B having already been opened manually, the opening ofswitch X breaks the secondary holding circuit, master relay coil CR isdeenergized, armatures CR-l, CR-2 and CR-3 open and CR-4 and CR-S close;the opening of CR-l and CR-Z has broken the circuit to timer motor T andto switch F (which was closed for counterclockwise or forward motion atthe moment) and accordingly the drive motor M stops because itscontactor coil FC is deenergized by breaking the circuit through F; theopening of CR-S hasl broken the circuit to the brake release solenoid N,and the brake is applied.

The heavy drum now coasts to a stop with the doors 2 and 4 approximatelyin the relative position shown in Fig. 2.

In the at developed view of the periphery of cam cylinder 23, as shownin Fig. 7, thenumbelred broken lines indicate the respective positionsof switches X, Y and Z for the positions of the drum as shown in thecorrespondingly numbered Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 6. The arrow indicatesforward or counterclockwise movement. it may be apparent that theswitces could be moved 'while the cam drum is stationary.

Resumpton of drum rotation followed by inching When the switch X opened,the switch armature CR-S closed as previously described, therebycompleting7 a circuit to time delay solenoid TD, as follows: from L-lthrough conductor 5, switch D, conductor 6, armature A-ll, conductors 7,7a, 20 and 24 to armature Cit-5, conductor 25, switch Z in its lowposition (not yet on cam 3T.) conductors 26a and 26C to switch Y (notyet on cam 313) conductor 27 to coil TD, and thence by conductors 28,lli and llc to L-Z. There is a second circuit from the lower contact ofswitch Z through conductors 26a and 26, the armature of switch P, andconductor 27 to coil TD.

Coil TD, when energized effects closing of switch armature W, butclosing movement must be etected against the resistance of a dash pot DPor other time delay mechanism. This may be set to produce a delay ofabout one second in switch closing movement, but no delay in openingmovement, the drum 1 having come to a stop during this time aspreviously described. When switch W closes a circuit C is established asfollows: from L-1 through conductor 5, switch D, conductor 6, switchA-ll, conductors 7, 7a, 2h, and 24, armature CR-S, conductor 25, switchZ in low position, conductors 26a, 26 and .'50 to switch W, conductor 31to coil FC and thence by conductors 17 and ille to L2. In shunt withthis, current also flows through conductor 31a to armature CIR-4, andconductor 19a to brake release solenoid N, and thence through conductorsBild, lib, il and llc to L2. Another circuit is closed through the lowercontacts of switches Y and Z and through conductor 27 to switch` P,conductors 26h and 30 to switch W, conductor 31 to coil FC, and alsoconductor 31a to armature (3R-4 and conductors 19 and 19a to brakerelease solenoid N.

The brake being released, and coil FC being energized, motor M turnsdrum il counterclockwise until cam cylinder 23 moves cam 32 under switchZ, which causes Z to break its lower contact and move to its uppercontact. Opening of this contact breaks all circuits to coil TD whichcauses immediate opening of switch W (there is no time delay in theopening direction) cutting ofi the drive motor M, and deenergizing brakesolenoid N so that the brake is applied. The drum 1 comes to a stopapproximately as shown in Fig. 3 which, as will be seen, is a positionnot far from registry. The cam cylinder switches will be inapproximately the position 3 of Fig. 7, cams 32 and 33 holding switchesZ and Y in their upper position.

A circuit is now established from L-'l through conductor 5, switch D,conductor 6, switch A41, conductors 7, 7a, 2t) and 24, armature CR-S,conductor 2.5, switch Z in upper position, conductor 60, switch Y inupper position, conductors 26o, 26, and 2615, switch P, conductor 27,coil TD, and conductors 2li, 11, and 11C to L2. After a one seconddelay, from the time that switches Y and Z were raised switch W closescompleting a circuit as follows: from L-l through conductor Si, switchD, conductor 6, switch A-l, conductors 7, 7a, 2t) and 24 t0 armatureCR-, conductor 2S, switch Z in upper position, conductor 60, switch Y inupper position, conductors 26e, ,26 and 30, switch W, conductor 3l, coilFC, and conduce gli) tors 17 and 11C to L2. A simultaneous shunt circuitis established through conductor 31a, armature CR-4, conductor 19a tobrake release solenoid N, and back through conductors 11d, 11b, 11 and11C. lt will be observed that the circuit passing through switch Penergized coil TD which closed switch W and energized coil FC so thatenergization of FC is dependent on switch P being closed. This is mostsignificant from the standpoint of the inching operation.

Energization of coil FC initiates movement of its armature core to closeits three-phase, three-contact switch. Simultaneously the fourth switcharmature P on the same mechanical hook-up is opened breaking the circuitto coil TD and opening the circuit to contactor FC. The core of coil FChas, however, achieved enough momentum to cause :its three-phase switchblades to make a momentary completion of the circuit to motor M whilethe brake solenoid is momentarily released. The motor therefore inchesthe drum forward through a short arcuate step.

The return of switch P to its closed position reestablishes the circuitto coil TD, as described in the second preceding paragraph hereinabove,and again after about one second delay switch XV is closed, and againthe shortstep inching impulse is imparted to the drum.

While the circuits as shown and just above described could be modiiiedsomewhat to cause rapid successive jogs without the time delay, such arapid series would impose an undesirable strain on the drive motor andother elements, and the time delay gives a satisfactory pause betweeninching impulses.

After several inching steps switch Y drops off cam 33 (Fig. 4 andposition 4 of Fig. 7) thereby opening the circuit to TD, at which pointthe tub door 2 will be in registry with the shell door 4.

Orientation for inciting when drums first stop is in reverse directionThe control is devised so that the series of inching steps are eiectedduring drum travel in counterclockwise forward direction. lt may, ofcourse, happen that the initial drum stop (when switch X drops on cam22) occurs when the drum is revolving in a clockwise, reverse direction.In such case the circuits herein provided automatically produce aninitial reversal of drum travel so that it will revert to a clockwisedirection for inching. This is done as follows.

Assume that the drum is traveling in reverse (clockwise) direction, thedrum door 4 being about in the position indicted in Fig. l, and cam 22being about to open switch X. Bear in mind that in Fig. 7 the camcylinder periphery is now traveling in a direction opposite to thearrow. Switch B has been opened for initiation of the finishing andinching steps, and switch X being opened by cam 22, the holding circuitsfor CR are broken as previously described, with consequent cutting ottof drive motor M, and brake release solenoid N. The drum comes to a stopin approximately the position shown in Fig. 6, the switches X, Y, and Zbeing approximately on the line 6 of Fig. 7.

The switches Y and Z are on their lower contacts, because they are noton the cams 33 and 32.. A preliminary forward rotation occurs, asalready described for switches Y and Z in lower position. The drumcontinues to rotate forward (counterclockwise) until the switch Z israised by cam 32, the elements coasting to the position of Fig. 3 andline 3 in Fig. 7. The switch Y being also raised by cam 33, all elementshave attained the positions already described for initiation of inchingin the forward (counterclockwise) direction.

Manual inching control Assume that the drum is operating in a washingcycle in the normal manner and that the operator desires to stop itprematurely, or stop it at the cycle end and inch it manually. He shiftsswitch A, moving A-l to its right hand contacgand closing A-2. Switch Bneed not be opened. Opening the left contact of A-l breaks the circuitto master relay CR which originally passed through conductors 7 and 8,switch B, conductors 9a and 9b, armature CR-l, and conductor 12 to CR,and the deenergization of this relay cuts off the current to drive motorM as previously described, and also deenergizes the brake solenoid N sothat the brake is applied.

With the drum at rest the operator rotates or inches it (either forwardor backward depending on its circuit controls as established when itstopped) by use of pushbutton C. While doing so the operator has avisual guide, or door spotting indicator 34. The circuit responsive tobutton C is as follows: from L-1, through conductor 5, switch D,conductor 6, right hand contact of switch A-1, conductor 35, switchcontact C-2, conductor 7d, switch contact A-2, conductors 37 and 9 toswitch Contact C-1, conductors 10 and 12 to master relay coil CR, andthence by conductors 11 and 11C to L-2. In shunt therewith the currentfrom conductor 10 (as above) proceeds through conductor 13 to armatureCR-2, and thence by conductor 14 to the reversal control switches F andR, so as to energize the drive motor M through one or other of thecontactors FC and RC. Simultaneously there is a circuit from conductor6, right hand contact of switch A-l, conductor 35, switch contacts C-2,conductors 7d, 7c, 7, '7a and 7b to CR-3, and conductors 19 and 19a tothe bralle release solenoid N. This circuit continues only whilepush-button C is held operated.

To summarize the functions of the switches A, B and C, during normalrunning operation A is in its left position (Fig. 1), B is closed, and Cis momentarily operated until the holding circuit is completed, afterwhich C may be released. For automatic inching B is opened. For a stopat any time A is moved to the right. When thus stopped, manual inchingcan be done by switch C.

All control circuits enumerated hereinabove passed through door switchD. When inching is completed, or when stopped for any reason and theshell door is opened, switch D opens and effectively cuts all power tothe powered control and drive elements.

Multiple compartment washer: starting and running In the previouslydescribed embodiment the problem involved aligning a single door in theopen pocket (single compartment) drum with a single door in the shell.ln the embodiment now to be described the problern involves causinginching alignment of a rst door in a lrst compartment with the shelldoor, and upon completion of the unloading of the rst compartment,causing inching of the second compartment door to alignment f with theshell door.

In the following description means are provided to assure that forwarddrum rotation is counterclockwise, and that inching takes place in thisdirection. In Fig. 8 the drum is stopped, the cam cylinder 123 being sopositioned that the cam switches are shown in normal depressed position.

Assuming that drum compartments 10111 and 101b have been loaded in theusual way, the operator sets switch A' as shown (it normally remains inthis position), closes switch B' and depresses push-button switch C',thereby energizing master relay coil CR' as follows: from L1 throughconductor 105, door switch D', conductor 106, left hand contact ofswitch A'-1, conductors 107 and 108, switch B', conductors 109 and 110,left set of contacts of switch C', conductor 111 to master relay coilCR', and conductors 112 and 112a to L2.

A holding circuit is now established, by reason of e11- ergization ofcoil CR', for maintaining CR' energized, as follows: from L1 throughconductor 105, switch D', conductor 106, switch A'-1, conductors 107 and108, switch B', conductors 109, 110e, and 113 to armature CR'1, coilCR', and conductors 112 and 112a to L2. Pushbutton C may now bereleased.

Closing of armature CR'2 continues the last mentioned circuit byconductor 114, armature CR'2, conductor 115 to switches F' and R' forforward and reverse control (as in the previous embodiment) and to timermotor T' and thence to L2.

The brake release solenoid is energizable through switch A21, conductors107, 107e and 116, armature CR3, and conductors 117e and 117 to thebrake release solenoid N', and thence to L2 as the diagram shows.

The washer now operates in normal manner, switches F and R', whenalternately closed by their respective cams, reversing the rotation ofthe drum as in the previous embodiment, the F' contactor coil FC' beingresponsive to switch F' for forward rotation, and the coil RC' beingresponsive to switch R' for reverse rotation. Also, as previously, coilFC' operates not only its three threephase blades, but also a fourthswitch P' which opens when the three blades close, and vice versa.

At the termination of a pre-determined washing cycle switch B' is openedeither by the operator or by timed control means. This breaks theoriginal holding circuit but there is another circuit through switch X'on cam cylinder 123 (Figs. 8 and 13) as follows: from L1 throughconductor 105, switch A'-1, conductors 107, 1070, and 107e to switch X',and by conductors 110!) and 113 to CR'-1 and to CR', and thence byconductors 112 and 112i: to L2. Switch X' is operated by a short cam1.22 on cam cylinder 123, the cam cylinder being operated directly fromthe work-containing drum as before.

Inclzz'ng control for first compartment of second embodiment Thisdescription will be abbreviated to essentials, since it will be readilyunderstood after studying the inching control described herein for theiirst embodiment.

As before the drum should be rotating forward when inching is initiated.The running circuit is temporarily maintained by a switch V operable bya cam 40 on the timer motor shaft. The reversal control cams forswitches F and R' are so set with respect to switch V that switch V andswitch R are closed simultaneously, the drum being in reverse directionat such time. Thus, if the switches B' and X' are operated in sequencewhen the drum is in reverse rotation, a third holding circuit throughswitch V temporarily prevents deenergization of the master relay CR',such circuit running from conductor 107, 107a and 107 b to switch V, andthence through conductors 118, b, and 113 to CR'-1 and to CR' aspreviously. The drum will therefore continue until it goes into forwardrotation under the influence of switch F'.

When cam 122, now rotating forward, opens switch X' the last holdingcircuit is deenergized, as is also coil CR'. The circuits to the brakesolenoid N', to the timer motor T', and to the drive motor M' are brokenthrough their respective three switch armatures in the CR' group(although armatures CR'4 and CR-5 in the inching circuits now close).Drum 101 has stopped in approximately the position indicated in Fig. 9with its door 10211 a short distance from registry with tub door 104.The cam drum has moved a corresponding distance, the cam switches beingin alignment along the line 9 of Fig. 13. When cam 122 passed switch X'all three switches X', Y' and Z' were momentarily in their lowpositions, and a circuit was completed from switch A-1, throughconductors 107, 107er and 116 to now closed switch CR'-5, and conductors119 and 11951 to switch Z' in its low position, then to switch Y' in itslower position, and thence through conductor 121 to coil TD' whichoperates a one-second time delay dash pot DP', and thence to L2. Anothercircuit to this coil was established from the lower contact of switchZ', line 120, switch P', and line 121e to switch Y and through the lowercontact of Y' through conductor 121 to coil TD'. However, switch Z' veryrapidlywas moved to its upper contact by cam 132:1 breaking the abovetwo circuits. Immediately thereafter switch Y' was moved to its upperContact by its cam 133a. This established a circuit from switch A'1,conductors 107, 167e and 116 to CR-5, conductor 119 and 11961 to switchZ', upper contact, conductors 124 and 125 to upper contact of switch Y',conductor 120 to switch P and conductor 121er to coil TD'.

Coil TD', retarded by its dashpot, will close its switch W shortly afterthe drum has stopped, thus establishing a circuit through conductors 120and 120a, switch W', conductors 12d and 127, contacter coil FC' to L2,and continuing through conductors 126g, 126b and 126e to armature CRY-4,and through conductors 131) and 117 to brake release solenoid N.

As in the previous embodiment thisy starts a forward jog of the drum,which is immediately interrupted by the opening of switch P in the FC'armature system, breaking the circuit to coil TD. Switch W' opens,breaking the circuits to coil FC' and coil N so that the brake isapplied, and the forward jog is small. The switch l" again closes,reestablishing the circuit to coil TD' which, after a brief time delay,closes switch W repeating the inching step. After several of theseinching movements, as indicated by the left hand series of paralleldot-dash lines i in Fig. 13, the cams will have moved to the position inFig. 13 at which point switch Y will drop to its lower contact, breakingthe circuits to TD and W', and the drum door 102a is in registry withshell door 104.

The cam rises on the cam drums 23 and 123 can be adjustably fixedperipherally so as to be in proper operational synchronism with the drumoperation.

Inc/ting control for second compartment of the second embodiment Afterunloading the irst compartment, and closing the doors the operatorpresses a button Rl which establishes a circuit from switch A'-1,conductors 1117, lila, 116, now closed switch armature CR-5, conductors119 and 11951, switch Z', upper contact, conductors 124 and 125a.,switch R1', and conductor 131 to a relay coil CRb and thence byconductor 112e to L2. Contact CRb-l closes, establishing a maintainingcircuit for coil CRI) by conductors 134, 125, and 124, upper contact ofswitch Z', conductors 119e and 119, armature CR-5, conductors 116, 10%and 107", switch A-1, conductor 1116, switch D and conductor 105 to L-l.In addition another circuit runs from line 119 of this circuit to CRb-Z,conductors 1265!, 126e, CFI-l, and conductors 130 and 117 to brakerelease solenoid N'. Another extension of this circuit goes byconductors 126d, 12611, 12611 and 127 to coil FC'.

The drum now rotates further forward and when switch Z' drops oil cam132a it thereby breaks the maintaining circuit to relay CRI), whichopens, breaking the circuit to FC' and to brake solenoid N. The drumcomes to a stop with its door 10211 approximately as shown in Fig. ll,and the control cams as indicated at 11 in Fig. 13. For the secondcompartment, 101i), stopping was effected by switch Z dropping oi cam132e as compared to initial stopping by cam 122 opening switch X.

Cams 132i: and 1335 have operated their switches, as previouslydescribed, and jogging or inching now proceeds until switch Y' drops oilcam 133b, at line 12 of Fig. i3, the relative positions of drum andshell being as shown in Fig. 12.

This completes the normal unloading cycle for both compartments, but, ifdesired, the push-button RI can again be operated so as to bring theiirst compartment (191e) back to registry with shell door 104, and inthis case the dropping of switch Z off cam 13211 initiates the stoppingfor compartment 10161, cam 122 and switch X' being ineiiective until thewasher is returned to normal running operation.

Manual inching and circuit operations involved thereby are the same aspreviously described for the rst embodiment.

What claim is:

1. A washing machine comprising a fixed casing, a work holding drumrotatable within said casing, said drum and said casing being providedwith respective doors which must be brought to 'a position of registryfor work loading and unloading, and a controller for inching said drumdoor into such registered position comprising an electrical powercircuit for rotating said drum, means for yautomatically interruptingsaid circuit while said drum door is a substantial angular predetermineddistance short of registry, means for stopping said drum, meansautomatically effective at such interruption to establish other electricpower circuit means for initiating resumption of rotation of said drum,furtherautomatic means for alternately momentarily permitting electricow in said last named circuit means, and for terminating said flowWhereby said drum is advanced towards registry in a series of relativelyshort inching steps, and automatic means for causing a final stoppage ofsaid drum when said registry is achieved.

2. A washing machine comprising a fixed casing, a work holding drumrotatable within said casing, said drum and said casing being providedwith respective doors which must be brought to a position of registryfor work loading and unloading, and a controller for inching said drumdoor into such position comprising an electrical power circuit fornormal working rotation of said drum, means for automaticallyinterrupting said circuit while said drum door is a substantialpredetermined distance short of registry, means for automaticallystopping said drum upon interruption of such circuit, meansautomatically effective at such interruption to close other electriccircuits for initiating resumption of rotation of said drum, furthermeans for alternately intermittently terminating flow in said otherelectric circuits, and for reestablishing such flow, whereby said drumis caused to advance towards registry in a series of relatively shortinching steps, means for automatically controlling the duration of timedelays between respectively successive steps, and means forautomatically causing a nal stoppage of said drum when the aforesaidposition of registry is reached.'

3. A washing machine comprising a fixed casing, a work holding drumrotatable within said casing, said drum and said casing being providedwith respective doors which must be brought to a position of registryfor work loading and unloading, and a controller for inching said drumdoor into such position comprising rst electric circuit means which,when closed, causes normal working rotation of said drum, means forautomatically opening said circuit and for automatically stopping saiddrum while the drum door is a substantial predetermined distance shortof registry, means automatically effective when said first circuit isopened to thereafter establish other electric circuit means forautomatically initiating resumption of rotation of said drum, a controlswitch in said other electric circuit means for automatically permittingor preventing ow of power through said other electric circuit meanswhereby, upon intermittent opening and closing of said switch, said drumis automatically caused to advance towards registry in a series ofrelatively short inching steps with stops therebetween, time delay meansoperatively linked to said switch, and automatically effective thereuponwhereby to control the duration of a time delay between successiveinching steps, and means for causing a final stoppage of said drum whenthe aforesaid position of registry is reached.

4. In a washing machine wherein a work-holding drum is rotatable withina fixed casing, and wherein said drum and said casing are provided withrespective doors which must be brought to a position of registry forwork loading and unloading, a controller for automatically inching saiddrum door into such position comprising a driving circuit which, whenclosed causes normal working rotation of said drum, means forautomatically opening said driving circuit to cause stoppage of saiddrum while the drum door is a substantial distance short of registry,and inching control means comprising a power circuit including a motorfor automatically supplying inching impulses to said drum, a contactorswitch in said power circuit, a contactor coil which, when energized,automatically closes said contactor switch, a contactor coil circuit forautomatically energizing said contactor coil, a time delayed switch insaid contactor coil circuit, a second coil which, when energizedautomatically closes said time delayed switch, a time delay institutingcircuit for automatically energizing said second coil, an interrupterswitch in said time delay instituting circuit, said interrupter switchand said contactor switch being mechanically linked in such way thatwhen either one opens the other closes whereby when said contactor coilis energized by closing of said time delayed switch to move itscontactor switch to closed position it causes opening of saidinterrupter switch, and consequent breaking of said contactor coilcircuit, said contactor switch being adapted to complete its movement tomomentary closed position despite opening of said interrupter switch,whereby to produce an inching movement of said drum, said inching cyclebeing repeated when said interrupter switch closes.

5. An inching controller as defined in claim 4, and wherein said timedelayed switch is provided with means for controllably retarding itsmovement to closed position when said time delay instituting circuit isenergized.

6. An inching controller as defined in claim 4, and wherein means isprovided for automatically causing a final stoppage of said drum whensaid drum door reaches the aforesaid position of registry.

7. An inching controller as defined in claim 4, and wherein saidcontactor switch assembly is of sufiicient mass to close by its ownmomentum upon receiving an initial closing impulse, despite terminationof such impulse before the contactor switch reaches closed position.

8. An inching controller as defined in claim 4, and wherein means isprovided for causing said drum to rotate in a predetermined directionbefore said inching circuits become operative.

9. In a washing machine wherein a work-holding drum is rotatable withina xed casing and wherein said drum and said casing are provided withrespective doors which must be brought to registry, in combination,means for automatically producing a preliminary stop of said drum whenthe drum is in a predetermined angular position short of registry, meansthereafter operable independently of said rst mentioned mans forautomatically effecting stopping of said drum in a series ofpredetermined angular positions successively approaching registry, andmeans for automatically controlling the duration of each such stop afterreaching respectively successive angular positions.

10. In a washing machine wherein a work-holding drum is rotatable withina fixed casing and wherein said drum and said casing are provided withrespective doors which must be brought to registry, in combination,means for automatically producing a preliminary stop of said drum whenthe drum is in a predetermined angular position short of registry, meansthereafter operable independently of said first mentioned means forautomatically effecting stopping of said drum in a series ofpredetermined angular positions successively approaching registry, andmeans for finally stopping said drum with its door in registry with thecasing door.

References Cited inthe file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,786,554 Van Valkenburg Dec. 30, 1930 2,334,965 Thacker Nov. 23, 19432,537,269 Harding Jan. 9, 1951

